Just sold my 98 w46k mi. for nearly 18k in a week on this forum,which is probably the most difficult place to get a premium from.

Yep,it was nice,but still a '98 and an automatic

You are dreaming at $7k

 

Actually Carmax like other dealers has wholesalers that come around and make bids on cars. Much of 100k and over stuff they won't keep because they can't get it financed. Other dealers use shady finance companies or in house it so it does not matter as much to them.

 

dumb thread if you ask me, if you dont like prices then go buy a kia for 3 grand.

 

i'm with you. if i buy a 100k mile car of any brand i go in it knowing that brakes, shocks, the clutch, maybe bushings and possibly the engine will need work. the 97 & 98 cars listed are probably worth more like $7000 as quoted above

 

is this new MSRP?

 

It's an observation, not a complaint.

 

Dude, dont even worry about what FairPrice posts. He has no idea of how things work in the real world. He seems to only be able to open a KBB book and spew out stupid notions that when a car reaches 100k its junk.....this aint 1965 FairPrice.

We schooled you in the last thread about cars over 100k. I personally proved my point to you several times. You seemed to have learned nothing.

Just do us a favor. List with links, all the c5's you find for $5-7k And youre wrong again about C4's also. A $3500. C4 is a used up automobile. A $13,000. C4 with 60k miles on it and nicely optioned is probably a great car. And stop valuing Vettes with Trade in values.... no body but dealers and wholesalers pay trade in value prices. If someone chooses to sell their car privately, they dont ask trade in value for it. You might, but most of us dont. That would be just as dumb as thinking youre gonna buy a car at trade in value.

KBB, NADA and all the other valuation entities are only GUIDES. Its not the end all, be all of what a car is worth regardless of miles. Wake up man!!

 

Heh there’s a local guy with a 02 coupe asking 30k OBO with 77k on it. Basically has a aftermarket stereo with upgraded speakers/subs (the boom boom crap), mutli colored custom paint job, 19/20? wheels, Sparco racing seat, CF racing wing, and claims to have a tune.

 

Let's face it... buying these cars is more an affair of the heart. I paid too much for my 03 vert, but never looked back. I'd do it again in a heart-beat. It's all about how badly you want a particular car, not about how good of a deal you can manage. Just buy one and let it go. Who cares what KBB feels is fair?? Not me I don't make excuses for what I spend on cars.

 

Good point. While resale value is a consideration, it's not a driver. We all know most cars generally depreciate, but the current market is especially low and will most likely improve in the next few months in time for spring.

I think what is at work in this thread, that should be ignored, is akin to someone who would like to live in a particular neighborhood but can't afford the prices. They then take perverse pleasure in hanging out in a park in the neighborhood, starting conversations and telling people how much their home values have declined, and that there is a better neighborhood across town. Best ignored, but it is fun making the responses.

 

I understand why some people overpay for a car. They do not research market value and they get emotional about the purchase.

Think this through: 8 years ago some guy overpays on a C4, paying 20K when it is worth 10K. Then he sells his C4 and goes out and overpays on a C5, paying 20K when it is worth 10K. That guy overpaid 20K in two deals, plus what depreciation there is on top of that loss. Now that guy is wondering why he is living in a rental and why he can not save enough for a downpayment on a house. He could have had both cars and had 20K in his pocket, but he made purchases with his heart and not his head.

You said "It is all about how badly you want a car". That is not thinking clearly, that is allowing emotion to get involved. The best advice I heard about car buying is to never make a purchase on the first visit. Always go visit 5 more dealerships even if you found the car you want at the first dealership. It is worth the extra effort to get a good price.

 

If you pulled that crap with me when I had my car business and I did have a few people try it ,by the 3rd time I was done with them and didn't offer them a discount at all on there 4th time. It always paid off and I sold the car for more to someone else that didn't pull that stuff for more.

You sound young like you don't have much experience buying a cars. I guarantee you will pass on a few car that you thought were to much and then regret it later because you can't find what you want or it's on the other side of the country. Then you will travel 6 hours for a great price on a car just to find out what a piece of junk it is. Trust me it has happened to me and it will happen to you.

 

I would say the guy saving for a down payment on a house shouldn't be buying a couple of sports cars, however, it is still his choice. Cars, to most of us on this forum are a passion. A very raw emotion that brings us joy or helps us blow of stress. Most of us live life taking care of all responsibilities and once in a great while it feels good to make a decision "from the heart". Glad your above us all that get passionate about or cars..but at the end of the day...it's not your money were spending.

 

This is my experience that I just went thru finding the right C5 I just purchased. I found most C5 owners would rather wait it out or keep their cars in leiu of selling them cheaper or for what KBB, Edmunds or NADA Say their worth. This is personal experience that I recently went thru. I looked for months for my C5. The bottom line was a bought a 2001 Coupe with 111,000 miles in what I consider excellent condition, dealer maintained it whole life (Carfax verified, Carfax showed car serviced in Florida by Chevy dealer twice which indicated some highway miles), had great tires (Michelin Sports), just in beautiful condition (better condition that a much lower mileage car I looked at), color combo I really liked and what I considered a really fair price (about what KBB listed it at). The real point I am trying to make is almost all Corvette owners were not dropping there prices if when they were't selling them! As a matter of fact, I still see some of the cars I looked at several months ago still listed for sale! It took a good Wholesaler to drop his price so we could make a deal at KBB price because the Wholesaler was not emotionally attached to the car. So again, a car is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it and what someone will let it go for. I felt lucky to get this car, even with the miles it had on it, because of my budget and because private owners were not letting their cars go for KBB value. Some say I paid too much, I don't think so because I know the market in my area, I looked at many and for a long time. Others say too many miles, I feel the car was well taken care of and the color and options and price range i was in. I don't know maybe if I waited for ever I could have gotten a better deal, but it's been several months a have not really seen a better deal. People who see my car compliment how great of shape it's in. So far no regrets.

 

KBB says...
KBB says...
KBB says...
KBB says...



Who really cares what KBB says?

 

He said he's visit 5 different dealerships, not go back to the same one 5 times.

 

LOL, okay. Edmunds says a 1997 Corvette with 103,000 miles that OP was asking about has a trade in value of $6096 in "average" condition. I would say that KBB has a trade in value $800 more than Edmunds, but you wouldn't want to hear about KBB.

 

Good stuff!

 

Wouldn't part with mine for those prices.

 

I have been looking very close at C5's for sale for a few months now. The only ones I have seen selling for under 10K have 150k and up miles or salvage titles.
Like others here have already said, KBB is a guide for used vehicle prices. Not a bible. I personally dont think it's that accurate when it comes to C5's. It's probably better for your average DD as far as a guide goes.